"Poo! What Is That Smell?" by Glenn Murphy, illustrated by Lorna Murphy

c.2013, Macmillan Children’s Books $8.99 / higher in Canada 158 pages

"Why Spacemen Can’t Burp" by Mitchell Symons

c.2013, Red Fox Doubleday $9.99 / $10.99 Canada 272 pages

Terri SchlichenmeyerSpecial to View

So whadda ya know?

You know school is about to start altogether too soon. That’s something you probably wish you didn’t know.

You know that you’ve had an awesome summer and that you’d like a little more time to enjoy. Then read “Why Spacemen Can’t Burp” by Mitchell Symons and “Poo! What Is That Smell?” by Glenn Murphy, illustrated by Lorna Murphy, and you’ll know things you can share when you get back to class.

This summer, you’ve heard some great tunes. You’ve watched TV, smelled nature, tasted new snacks and touched the handlebars on your bike and the buttons on your computer. You did these things, and you probably barely thought about them. In “Poo! What Is That Smell?” you’ll see why that’s pretty incredible.

Use your eyes to read this book and learn that eyes first evolved more than 525 million years ago. Read why animals see differently than you do. Learn that “hearing is really just a sense of touch that works at a distance” and that snakes have ears! You’ll see how your tastebuds are linked to your nose, why some things smell horrible, why animals eat disgusting stuff, why you can feel different surfaces with different parts of your body and how you’re wrong if you think you have only four basic tastes.

Speaking of senses, have you ever noticed why the first sniff of something is more powerful than the second sniff? Or why triangular-cut sandwiches taste better than half-cut ones? The answers to those difficult questions – and more – are inside “Why Spacemen Can’t Burp.”

In this book, you’ll learn when it’s acceptable to say the word “ain’t.” You’ll find out why you rubbed your knee last time you bumped it hard. You’ll learn which are the most difficult letters for a ventriloquist to learn, why killer whales have such a bad reputation, how long laughter has been around, why Mom could be right if she thinks you were raised by wolves, why your little fingers are “pinkies,” and what you can do much better than any adult you know.

You want your child to be up-to-speed when school starts soon. You want him to keep reading between semesters, too, but nobody said it had to be boring – two good reasons to find “Why Spacemen Can’t Burp” and “Poo! What Is That Smell?”

With quick paragraphs enhanced by cute illustrations and humorously presented paragraphs, these two books speak to the hearts of young readers who don’t necessarily want the involvement of narrative chapters. No, these trivia-type books are the kind that kids can pick up and put down at will. They’re out-of-order browse-able, contain something that will interest just about any child, and the price is right on both.

What’s not to like?

Be aware that there are British-isms in the Symons book and bigger words in both, which makes them challenging for 7- to 8-year-olds but still enjoyable for 9- to 12-year-olds. And if that sounds good, then “Poo! What Is That Smell?” and “Why Spacemen Can’t Burp” are books you know you need.

View publishes Terri Schlichenmeyer’s reviews of books for children weekly.